IUPUI launches Institute for Mathematical Modeling and Computational Science

The School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has launched the Institute for Mathematical Modeling and Computational Science, an interdisciplinary endeavor dedicated to solving perplexing problems in such diverse fields as medicine, the environment, and computer science. iM2CS's parallel mission is to train a new generation to identify and solve the scientific issues with which they will be faced.

Students and researchers from IUPUI, as well as businesses and researchers in Indiana or anywhere around the world, can benefit as iM2CS faculty utilize sophisticated mathematical and computational approaches to address issues and solve problems found in the life, earth, social and physical sciences as well as engineering. Drug delivery, pollution, construction and forensics are among the thousands of areas that can be studied with mathematical modeling and computational science problem solving approaches.

Led by Giovanna Guidoboni, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematical sciences, and Snehasis Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., professor of computer and information science, the new institute, with an initial faculty of 19 investigators, is a virtual laboratory and consulting center available to researchers in any discipline.

"The math modeling and computation science of iM2CS creates greater opportunities for discovery and increases competitiveness in seeking and procuring extramural funding to support research, educational and outreach activities," said Guidoboni.

Among initial areas of iM2CS focus are:

• blood flow in the eye and its relation to glaucoma
• brain circuitry of Parkinson's disease patients
• brain mapping using computer vision methods
• fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosis
• flooding in watersheds
• fluid dynamics of red blood cells

"Statistics can help discover correlations. With the tools of mathematical modeling and computational science, our researchers reveal causality. We test hypotheses and provide important knowledge and feedback to colleagues," said Guidoboni.

Institute faculty researchers offer an introductory course in biomathematics to IUPUI upper level undergraduates and graduate students. A paid undergraduate summer research program, in collaboration with six other universities across the country, will bring students into iM2CS labs where they will work alongside faculty.

"The School of Science is proud to announce the creation of iM2CS. Mathematical and computational modeling is one of the great strengths of the school's faculty, and represents a unique niche within the IUPUI community. We expect that the development of the iM2CS will lead to further interactions between our school's faculty and colleagues throughout IUPUI and the wider Indiana community", according to David Skalnik, Ph.D., associate dean for research and graduate education at the School of Science at IUPUI.